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Road Trip! Decisions, UP/Drummond Island or Smokey Mts?

DanW

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I'm loading up the JL and taking my 3 sons on a road trip for about 4 or 5 days of exploring.

Option 1 is to head to Michigan and check out the UP, including Drummond Island, Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks), Whitefish Point (Gr Lakes Shipwreck Museum) and what's left of the Fall colors. On the way or on the way back, we'd hit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, USS Silversides museum, and maybe Silver Lake dunes. This would almost all be new to us. The boys would love the Mackinaw Bridge and the ferry ride to Drummond Island. We'd probably also hit the icebreaker museum in Mackinaw City.

Option 2 is the Smokey Mountains. We've been there, but it is still a blast. We'd check out Hurricane Cr. Rd, Max Patch, Balsam Mountain Rd, Cades Cove, Deals Gap (Tail of the Dragon), and many backroads we've not seen. Of course we'd stop at Smokey Mt. Knifeworks, too. We might even hit Windrock for a few trails on the way home. We'd probably also catch a dinner show in Pigeon Forge.

So what does the Hive think? Yoopers, how's the UP this time of year? Is it mostly flat up there, or does it have some hills? How are the scenic drives along the coastlines? Are there good chances of bear sightings? I know in Cades Cove we've got about a 90% chance if we get there at sunrise.

We launch early Saturday. We may not decide until the engine turns over, but either way, it should be a blast! Opinions are appreciated!
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BlueCruzer

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I'm loading up the JL and taking my 3 sons on a road trip for about 4 or 5 days of exploring.

Option 1 is to head to Michigan and check out the UP, including Drummond Island, Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks), Whitefish Point (Gr Lakes Shipwreck Museum) and what's left of the Fall colors. On the way or on the way back, we'd hit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, USS Silversides museum, and maybe Silver Lake dunes. This would almost all be new to us. The boys would love the Mackinaw Bridge and the ferry ride to Drummond Island. We'd probably also hit the icebreaker museum in Mackinaw City.

Option 2 is the Smokey Mountains. We've been there, but it is still a blast. We'd check out Hurricane Cr. Rd, Max Patch, Balsam Mountain Rd, Cades Cove, Deals Gap (Tail of the Dragon), and many backroads we've not seen. Of course we'd stop at Smokey Mt. Knifeworks, too. We might even hit Windrock for a few trails on the way home. We'd probably also catch a dinner show in Pigeon Forge.

So what does the Hive think? Yoopers, how's the UP this time of year? Is it mostly flat up there, or does it have some hills? How are the scenic drives along the coastlines? Are there good chances of bear sightings? I know in Cades Cove we've got about a 90% chance if we get there at sunrise.

We launch early Saturday. We may not decide until the engine turns over, but either way, it should be a blast! Opinions are appreciated!
If you pick Option 1, many of these Fall Color drives will be in that area.
https://www.mlive.com/travel/2016/10/michigans_best_scenic_fall_dri.html
You don't say how old your boys are but The Mac, Soo Locks, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Silver Lake State Park dunes will excite them. Dad too!
 
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DanW

DanW

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If you pick Option 1, many of these Fall Color drives will be in that area.
https://www.mlive.com/travel/2016/10/michigans_best_scenic_fall_dri.html
You don't say how old your boys are but The Mac, Soo Locks, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Silver Lake State Park dunes will excite them. Dad too!
Thanks! We flipped a coin and headed south, but the UP is calling us, for sure. We'll get up there sooner than later. The kiddos are 16, 14, 12, and 8. The 12 and 8 year olds have never been to the Smokies, but none of them have ever been north of Manistee, either.
 
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DanW

DanW

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If you pick Option 1, many of these Fall Color drives will be in that area.
https://www.mlive.com/travel/2016/10/michigans_best_scenic_fall_dri.html
You don't say how old your boys are but The Mac, Soo Locks, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Silver Lake State Park dunes will excite them. Dad too!
Wow, after looking at those photos, we may have made a wrong turn! Gorgeous!

We'll have to gain some altitude down here to get into the color. Balsam Mt. Road should be getting some gold color right about now. Maybe Hurricane Creek Rd. will have a little.
 

BlueCruzer

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Wow, after looking at those photos, we may have made a wrong turn! Gorgeous!

We'll have to gain some altitude down here to get into the color. Balsam Mt. Road should be getting some gold color right about now. Maybe Hurricane Creek Rd. will have a little.
Enjoy!
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